"cercle Tournant" Clock In Malachite And Gilded Bronze Louis XVI Style

Description
Elegant French “cercle tournant” clock, designed in the Louis XVI style and representative of the historicist taste of the second half of the 19th century. This prestigious type of clock is distinguished by the absence of a conventional frontal dial. The time is indicated by rotating circular bands, here composed of enamelled porcelain cartouches bearing Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes. A fixed pointer placed in front of the revolving rings allows the time to be read, creating a refined horological display with a strong decorative presence.

The cylindrical body rests on a polygonal base and is covered with richly veined green malachite, whose natural pattern gives depth and movement to the surface. The clock is mounted with an important gilt bronze ornamentation, including circular mouldings, bun feet, framing elements, vertical mounts with figural decoration and allegorical appliques. The upper section is surmounted by a seated Cupid holding a bow and arrow, placed on a circular malachite plinth. The central body is decorated with female allegorical figures carrying musical attributes, including a lyre and a harp, evoking music, poetry and the arts. The composition is balanced, architectural and highly decorative, in keeping with fine mantel clocks made for refined interiors in the 19th century.

Technique and materials
Malachite body with gilt bronze mounts. Enamelled porcelain rotating hour and minute rings with painted numerals. Mechanical movement visible through a small glazed aperture framed in gilt bronze. The bronzes are finely worked, with chased decorative reliefs and a warm gilded surface.

Dating
France, second half of the 19th century. The clock belongs to the Louis XVI style through its neoclassical vocabulary, allegorical figures, ordered mouldings and the association of gilt bronze with a decorative hardstone body.

Condition
The clock is complete and in working order. Excellent overall condition. Minor signs of age, small traces of oxidation and natural patina to the gilding, consistent with the period of the object. The principal decorative elements are present.

Function and display
A collector’s and decorative clock, suitable for display on a mantelpiece, console, desk or within an antique gallery setting. Its cercle tournant mechanism, malachite body and gilt bronze decoration make it a particularly distinctive and decorative piece.

Dimensions
height - 52 cm
width - 22 cm